The Way Forward

Several basal cytotoxicity assays have been validated for reducing animal use in acute systemic toxicity testing, but they are not yet validated as components of a replacement test scheme. A replacement method for acute systemic toxicity must model other important components of the in vivo response such as target organ toxicity and toxicokinetics. Many of the essential in vitro methods are still in the research and development stages. Optimization of the use of (Q)SARs and cytotoxicity assays in tiered test schemes could be used to further reduce animal testing until a replacement is validated (ECVAM, 2002). In 2005, an ECVAM Working Group estimated the timeframe for a replacement method for acute systemic toxicity to be more than 10 years (ECVAM, 2005).

For more on The Way Forward, read the following invited commentaries on acute systemic toxicity:

• The ACuteTox Testing Strategy: The Way Forward to Replace the Animal Tests Used Today in the Field of Acute Systemic Toxicity by Cecilia Clemedson
• Alternate Methods for Assessing Respiratory Toxicity Using Non-animal Methods by Mark Riley
• Opportunities and Barriers to the Replacement of Animals in Acute Systemic Toxicity Testing by Troy Seidle